SD24 Incumbent Patty Birkholz (R-Saugatuck Twp.)

by: matt

Sat Aug 27, 2005 at 01:00:00 AM EDT

Biography:

State Senator Patricia Birkholz, a Saugatuck Township Republican, is in her first term as a Senator for the 24th District (Allegan, Barry and Eaton Counties).  Patty has been elected as President Pro-Tempore of the Senate by her peers, and chairs the Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.  Patty also serves on the Local, Urban and State Affairs Committee as Vice Chair, and on the Technology and Energy Committee, and the Gaming and Casino Oversight Committee.

Prior to her election to the Senate, Patty served for three terms in the House of Representatives.  She was re-elected Speaker Pro Tempore and appointed by Republican Speaker Rick Johnson to the Local Government and Urban Policy, Land Use and Environment, and Energy and Technology committees.

Patty was selected as a BLLD Fellow at the Bowhay Legislative Leadership Development Institute in 1997, named “Rookie of the Year” by the Michigan Manufacturers Association in 1998, and received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Michigan Municipal League in 1998.  In 1999, Birkholz was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and also named one of the Most Influential Women in West Michigan by Business Direct Weekly.  The National Federation of Independent Business named Birkholz a “Guardian of Small Business” in 2000.  The Michigan Society of Planning gave Birkholz the “Outstanding Planning and Land Use Leadership Award” in 2001.  Birkholz is also the recipient of:  The Michigan Township Association Legislator of the Year Award in 2001;  Allegan County 4-H clubs “Distinguished Leadership Award” 2000 and  the Michigan League of Conservation Voters honored her for “Promoting New Approaches to Land Use 2002.”

Birkholz has been active in several community organizations, including serving as president of the Allegan Rotary and as the Allegan County Treasurer from 1992 until her election to the State House.  She is a member and past Chair of the Michigan State Parks Advisory Board and a gubernatorial appointee to the foundation for Michigan State Parks.

Birkholz began her career as a teacher in the Ottawa County Head Start program.  She served on the district staff of Congressman Fred Upton, was Saugatuck Township Treasurer,  a Township Trustee, and served on the Saugatuck Township Park and Recreation Commission.

She has a B.S. degree from Western Michigan University and has pursued her Masters degree in Public Administration from WMU.
(Republican Caucus)

SD24 District Profile

by: matt

Sat Aug 27, 2005 at 01:00:00 AM EDT

Better know an obstructionist: Sen. Patty Birkholz (R-Saugatuck)

by: Hazen Pingree

Wed May 09, 2007 at 07:31:49 AM EDT

Backers of unfunded $1.9 billion tax cut still want their pork

by: matt

Fri Aug 18, 2006 at 12:51:08 PM EDT

• We go first to Michigan's glorious northland - to Petoskey - where there's a hole in the harbor breakwater. Fixing this would ordinarily be the responsibility of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Unfortunately, the Corps is a bit short of cash these days and the project has been delayed. Gee, I wonder who is in charge of funding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers?  Anyway, State Senator and parking deck enthusiast Sen. Jason Allen (R-Traverse City) proposed having the State of Michigan pick up the $400,000 tab (because we're just loaded with cash these days) until "The Decider" and his Republican Congress come through with the moolah (which would - in all likelihood - be never). No dice, says Governor Granholm. Here's Allen's response in the Petsokey News-Review:
  

  “It's unfortunate that the governor chose to veto this funding tool for the Petoskey harbor,” he said.
  

  Remember, this is a guy who just voted to gut funding for nearly a quarter of the state general fund budget to pay for a $1.9 billion business tax cut. Here's a clip from his official statement:
  

  “I see absolutely no logic in why the governor vetoed this funding,” Allen said. “I’m stunned to say the least.”
  

  Stunned. Yeah, that's the right word. OINK!

SD24 Former Candidate Suzzette Royston (D-Charlotte)

by: matt

Wed May 24, 2006 at 21:28:07 PM EDT

No campaign website found

No biographical information found.